Save on Florida Hotels

For the record, I don’t practice in Florida, and I’ve never sold a hotel in my life – except when I play Monopoly. My area of expertise is residential, not commercial.

However, I’m copying a “subject” line I received in my email the other day received by Sidestep, or Priceline, or Orbitz, or Travelocity . . . I forget which. The “subject” line of the email read: SAVE ON FLORIDA HOTELS!

I thought this was quite comical, actually. Hmmmm . . . savings on Florida Hotels!!

IT’S HURRICANE SEASON!!

Of course the airline industry is soliciting some very good deals to Florida, and I’m sure there are terrific savings to the North Carolina coast now with Tropical Storm Gabreille, en route. Or, how about some travel savings to the Gulf of Mexico?

If you’re not put off by the weather reports, now is actually a good time to travel. Local temp in Miami 88° last time I checked.

What does this have to do with real estate?

Everything!

If you can travel during “hurricane season” -- when storms are a’ brewing, or not -- and obviously airlines and hotels are courting your business . . . why not think about buying?

This is no secret . . . banks are still in business. Mortgages are still being made. Granted, the underwriter’s guidelines (discussed in my previous article; “How to Goose Your Deal Through to Close”) have changed. They are more restrictions, and an underwriter’s condition that might have gone unchecked a few months ago are being scrutinized more closely, but there are still plenty of opportunities in real estate.

Sellers are MOTIVATED; it’s a great time to make your best offer.

Traveling to Florida isn’t going to stop, and it’s clear that it’s business as usual for the airlines. So why should the current storm in the mortgage market stop you? Just be prudent, and follow the forecast.

Next week’s article: “What Buyers Do Wrong”